Early modern historian. Loves gender, women's, social & royal histories. Ventures elswhere when interest is piqued. Blog may cover above themes or something a little more random. Find me on Twitter @ruthrblair

Remember, Remember the Sixth of November: Commemorating Princess Charlotte 200 Years After her Death

Here’s last year’s post which commemorated the death of the heir to the British throne, Princess Charlotte of Wales. At the time, the country was ruled by George III, who was secluded in Windsor, believed mad. His dissolute son, George, the Prince Regent was monarch in all but name. The only member of the family that the public like was Charlotte, who was recently married – and then she was gone.

‘Alas, that England’s hope – her greatest pride,
Should thou in youthful loveliness have died!’The Morning Post, 7 November 1817

Monday 6 November 2017 is the 200th anniversary of the death of Princess Charlotte, the granddaughter of King George III. She died at Claremont in Surrey after a protracted fifty-hour labour during which she delivered a stillborn son.

Charlotte Augusta of Wales was born on 7th January 1796. She was the daughter George, the Prince of Wales, who was Prince Regent from February 1811, and his wife Caroline of Brunswick. Charlotte was second in line to the throne and the only legitimate heir that the fifteen children of King George III and Queen Charlotte had managed to produce. George and Caroline’s marriage was arranged and the future King George IV took instant dislike to his bride and spent his wedding night drunk on…